Pomare, Toreros outlast Broncos

SAN DIEGO - University of San Diego center/forward Gyno Pomare
gives up two inches and 60 pounds when he faces Santa Clara center
John Bryant in their twice-annual West Coast Conference battles
under the boards.

But in their first meeting this year, the 6-foot, 240-pound
junior didn't give up as much ground, nor an edge in crucial plays,
as USD beat the Broncos 53-51 on Saturday night before 2,304 fans
at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The Toreros improved to 10-11 overall and 3-1 in WCC play. They
also moved ahead of the Broncos (10-9, 2-2) into third place behind
24th-ranked Saint Mary's (17-2, 4-0), which visits the Toreros on
Monday night, and Gonzaga (15-5, 4-0).

Bryant, a 6-10, 300-pound junior who led a Santa Clara sweep of
USD last year, posted his conference-leading eighth double-double
of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

But Pomare not only contributed his sixth double-double with 11
points and 10 boards, he also made two of the game's biggest
defensive plays down the stretch.

"This year, we had guys play better and we got stops and
rebounds," said Pomare, an El Camino High alumnus. "That's what we
focused on. It was a physical game, but we were ready for it. We
prepared all week."

With 2 minutes, 16 seconds left in the game and the Toreros
clinging to a 48-46 lead, Pomare stole a pass intended for Bryant
down low. In transition, junior point guard Brandon Johnson (19
points, 3 assists) drove the lane, and when Bryant came out to
defend him, he dropped off an assist to Pomare for a layup and a
50-46 lead with 1:59 remaining.

Santa Clara rallied with five unanswered points for a 51-50 lead
when Bryant's inside bucket was followed by a three-point play by
freshman Ben Dowdell with 36 seconds to play.

With 23 seconds left in the game and on the shot clock, Johnson
ran Bryant into a screen by Pomare. The Toreros got the switch they
wanted when Bryant came out, but Johnson was fouled on his drive
down the lane.